Electron discharge tube adapter



Nov. 8, 1932. v R. D. DUNCAN, JR, ET AL 1,336,657

ELECTRON DISCHARGE TUBE ADAPTER Filed March 15. 1930 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR Robert D. Duncan, fi-ArthurM Fagner.

ORNEY l at ented Nov. 8, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ROBERT D. DUNCAN, JR., OF EAST ORANGE, AND ARTHUR M. TROGNER, OF MAPLEWOOD, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNORS TO WIRED RADIO, INQ, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., A. GORPORA TION OF DELAWARE ELECTRON DISCHARGE TUBE ADAPTER Application filed March 15, 1930. Serial No. 436,171.

Our invention pertains in general to means for actuating switches and specifically relates to means for actuating a switch which is combined with an electron discharge tube adapter.

An adapter in use is interposed between an electron discharge tube and supporting socket therefor of an electrical organization and is necessarily positioned in association with its respective electron discharge tube. It is, therefore, not situated with a view to convenient operation of a switch mounted on the adapter.

In our present invention we contemplate actuating such a switch from any remote or convenientpoint, by electromagnetic means. Although the introduction into the adapter of currents for exciting electromagnets would normally introduce disturbing, and

extraneous electrical efiects in the electron discharge tube associated with the adapter, we have provided novel means for overcoming this difficulty by automatically discontinuing such exciting currents immediately after actuation of the said switch.

The principal object of our invention consists in providing means for electromagnetically actuating a switch combined with an electron discharge tube adapter by means of electromagnets associated with said adapter.

A further object comprises producing means for automatically discontinuing the electromagnetic exciting currents supplied to the electromagnets of our adapter.

A still further object comprises producing an electromagnetically operated adapter switch which will selectively interconnect electrical circuits associated with the said adapter.

o accomplish the above desirable features in a novel electromagnetically actuated adapter switch for use in combination with an electron discharge tube adapter. I

In the drawings accompanying and forming a part of this specification, and in which like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout:

Figure 1 is an elevation and partial sectional view of an adapter employing the switch actuating means of our invention.

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view along the line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a view corresponding to the view of Fig. 2 but showing the mechanical elements of the adapter in a diiferent relative position.

Fig. 4 is a schematic representation of the electrical connections of an adapter and adapter switch employing our actuating means.

Referring to the drawings in detail, and particularly to Fig. 1, two circular insulating mounting members 1 and 2 are disposed in a tubular metallic electrostatic shielding 3. Spacers 4 are positioned between the mounting members 1 and 2 and are rigidly riveted thereto. Apertures 5 are provided in the mounting member 1 for the purpose of receiving the terminal pins or prongs of an electron discharge tube, spring contact terminals 6 being secured to the mounting 1 beneath the apertures 5 to make electrical contact with the said terminal pins of an electron discharge tube. Terminal pins 7 corresponding in construction to the terminal pins of an electron discharge tube are rigidly secured to, and extend beneath, the mounting member 2. The terminals 7 may be inserted in an electron discharge tube supporting socket in place of an electron discharge tube, while the terminals of the said electron discharge tube can be inserted in the apertures 5 of the mounting member 1. Such an arrangement of parts, when provided with suitable electrical connections, constitutes an adapter which may be used interposed between an electron discharge tube and a supporting socket therefor.

In Fig. 2, an insulating rotating member 8 of a switch of anti-capacity construction is Two metallic contacting sectors 37 and 38 insulated from each other, are mounted upon the insulating rotating member 8 so as to enwith the contact terminals 10, 11, 12 and 13. When the said rotating member 8 is in the position shown in Fig. 4, which corresponds to the position of the rotating member 8 in 3, the contacting sector 38 will electrically interconnect the contact terminals 11 and 12 and the contacting sector 27 will interconnect the contact terminals and 13. In this position, the contact pin 14 will be out of engagement with the follower spring 16, while the contact pin 15 will be in engagement with the follower spring 17.

In Fig. 4, the adapter interposed between the electron discharge tube 32 and support IHQEPC iet 33 is represented as tying in the auxiliary radio frequency input source 39, of a wired radio tuner to the grid of the tube 3 An electrical connection is provided between the radio frequency input source 39 and the contact terminal 12, while another connection is provided between the contact terminal 11 and the spring contact terminal 6 associated with the grid of the tube 3n. Another electrical connection is provided between the contact terminal 10 and the terminal pin 7 associated with the radio frequency input source 34 of the space radio receiving system, while a further connection is provided between the contact terminal 13 and the terminal pin 7 associated with the cathode of the tube 32, and the ground of the space radio receiving system, respectively.

The cathode terminal pins and the plate terminal pin of the tube are directly connected to corresponding terminal pin receptacles of the supporting socket 33 through the agency of connections provided between the spring contact terminals 6 and the terminal pins '7 of the adapter. Connections 40 interconnect the filament of the electron discharge tube to the filament terminal pin receptacles 36 of the socket 33 which are in turn connected to a suitable source of filament voltage, such as a tap from an alternating current stepdown transformer connected to the 110 volt electric power and light distribution lines.

The current supply for the electromagnet windings is derived from connections provided, as show: 1 between the pins 14 and 15, the filament voltage connections 40, and the movable contact 41 of a double throw switch which may be located at a position removed from the adapter. The movable contact 41 is arranged to engage in contact with either of two contact terminals 42 and 43 which are connected, respectively, to the winding 19 and thence to the follower spring 17, and to the winding and thence to follower spring 16. Such an arrangement for supplying current to the electromagnet winding is obviously convenient, inasmuch'as connections to supply source are contained entirely within the adapter. However, it is entirely possible, and may be desirable in some cases, to derive the current supply for said electromagnets from another source, such as a battery positioned in association with the switch contact 41.

It will now be evident that, in the position shown in Fig. 4, the wired radio grid input source 39 is connected, by means of the contact terminals 12 and 11, through contact sector 38, to the grid of the tube 32. At the same time the space radio grid input source 34 is connected by means of the contact terminals 10 and 13, through the contact sector 37, to' the cathode of the tube 32 and thence to ground in the space radio receiving system. In this position of the contacting sectors 37 and 38 of the adapter switch, the wired radio input 39 will serve as a source of signals impressed on the plate of the tube 32 and delivered to the output to audio frequency stages of amplification of the space radio re ceiver, while the grid input source 34 is grounded and rendered inoperative as a source of signals.

When, in this application of our magnetically operated adapter switch, it is desired to operate the space radio receivin system independently of the wired radio input, the movable switch contact 41, which may be remotely positioned from the adapter, is moved from the terminal pole 42 to terminal pole 43. Electrical energy immediately flows from the source through the winding 19, returning through the follower spring 17 and contact pin 15 to the said source 40. The lines of electromagnetic force thereby set up about the winding 19 will cause the armature 21 to be drawn into engagement therewith, which action rotates the rotating member 8 into a' new position by means of the coupling link 27. In this new position the contacting sector 37 will interconnect the contact terminals 10 and 11, and the contacting sector 38 will interconnect the contact terminals 13 and 12. In such a position of the contacting sectors 37 and 38 the wired radio input 39 will be connected to the cathode and ground of the space radio receiver and rendered inoperative as a source of signaling, while the space radio grid input source 34 will be connected with the grid of the tube 32 and thence to the output 35 to audio frequency stages of amplification, in which arrangement the space radio receiving system will function independently of the wired radio input source 39. At the same time that the armature 21 is brought into close engagement with the magnet winding 19, the armature 24 will be moved away from the magnet winding 20 by means of the coupling link 27. As the rotating member 8 is being rotated, the contact pin 14 engages with the follower spring 16, which is connected to the magnet winding 20. However, no electrical energy is supplied to the winding 20 inasmuch as the circuit is now broken at the terminal pole 42, the movable contact 41 I. having been previously moved into contact leave the follower spring 17 thereby breaking the circuit. The'exciting current of the winding 19 will, therefore, be discontinued and the possible introduction of undesirable and extraneous electrical effects into the im mediate vicinity of the electron discharge tube 32 will be avoided.

To further operate the adapter switch so as to again tie in the wired radio receiver 39 as a source of signals, it is necessary to move the movable contact 41 from the terminal pole 43 back into engagement with the terminal pole 42, as shown in Fig. 4. Since, in the descriptionjust preceding, the contact pin 14 is in engagement with the follower spring 16, and the contact pin 15 is out of engagement with the follower spring 17 it is evident that current will flow from the source 40 to the electromagnet winding, thereby drawing the armature 24 back into engagementtherewith as shown in Fig. 4. As the rotating member 8 is being rotated in this reverse direction, the terminal pin 15 willimmediately engage the follower spring 17 which is connected to the magnet winding 19. However, no electrical energy is supplied to the winding 19 inasmuch as the circuit is now brokenat the terminal pole 43. At the same time, while the rotating member is being rotated, the contact pin 14 will remain in engagement with the follower spring 16, thereby completing the electrical circuitv to the magnet winding 20, until the armature 24 has been moved into close engagement with the said winding 20, when the contact pin 14 will leave the follower spring 16, thereby breaking the circuit, The rotating member 8 and contacting sectors thereon will now have been again moved into a position such that the wired radio input source 39 is coupled to the gridof the tube 32, the plate of the said tube being coupled to output 35 to audio frequency stage of amplification, while the space radio input source 34 is grounded and rendered inoperative. Further, exciting currents to the actuating electromagnet will have also aga n been discontinued, and disturbing electrical effects produced by such. current avoided. I

, It is now evident that we have provided a novel electron discharge tube adapter switch actuating means. It is further evident that an electromagnetically actuated adapter switch arranged as hereinbefore described, to

- automatically discontinue the exciting currents to the electromagnets, will be of especial advantage, inasmuch as the introduction of extraneous electrical effects into thevicinity of the electron discharge tube will be avoided, as will be any mechanical vibratory effects which would accompany the continuous use of a low frequency alternating current sup ply for exciting the said electromagnet windmgs. r a

While we have referred to certain details of mechanical construction and arrangement of parts, as well as to electrical connections, we do not wish to limit ourselves thereto, except insofar as may be pointed out in the appended claims.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim asnew and original and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. An electron discharge tube adapter comprising, anadapter for use between an electron discharge tube and supporting socket therefore comprising, an adapter structure having terminal pins for insertion in said socket in substitution for said'electron tube and terminal pin receptacles for supporting said electron discharge tube, a switch in said adapter structure for controlling circuits to said tube, electromagnetic means in said adapter structure for actuating said switch,

and connections from certain of said terminal pins to said electromagnetic means for supuse between an electron discharge tube and socket therefore comprising, an adapter structure including terminal pin for insertion in said socket and terminal pin receptacles for supporting said tube, a switch in said adapter structure, for controlling circuits to said tube, and actuating, means for said switch comprising, a pair of independently excitable electromagnets for moving saidswitch in either of two directions, connections to certain of said terminal pins for supplying operating energy to said electromagnets, and means controlled by the movement of said switch for interrupting said circuits after the completion of a switching operation.

3. An electron discharge tube adapter for use between an electron discharge tube and supporting socket therefore comprising, an adapter structure including terminal pins for insertion in said socket in substitution for said electron discharge tube and terminal pin receptacles for supporting said tube, a switch within said adapter structure for controlling circuits to said electron tube through said terminal pin receptacles, and actuating second electromagnet for mechanically moving said switch in another direction, a circuit for supplying operating energy to said electromagnets from said terminal pins as sociated With the cathode supply circuit of said electron tube, and contact terminals and follower springs connected in said circuit and adapted to be relatively moved by said armatures for automatically discontinuing said energy supply to said electromagnets at the expiration of a switching operation.

ROBERT D. DUNCAN, JR. ARTHUR M. TROGNER.

Nov. 8, 1 932. G. R. ESPING 1,386,660

CONDUIT HOLDER Filed March 5, 1930 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVEN TOR.

A TTORNEY. 

